FIFA president Gianni Infantino had already said that he was determined to push ahead with plans to expand the FIFA Women's World Cup in time for the next tournament after hailing France 2019 as "the best ever".

"The astounding success of this year's World Cup made it very clear that this is the time to keep the momentum going and take concrete steps to foster the growth of women's football," said Infantino, who has succeeded in expanding the men's tournament from 32 teams to 48 in time for the 2026 finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

"I am glad to see this proposal - the first of several - becoming a reality."

A penalty shootout elimination at the hands of Norway in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup saw the Matildas leapfrogged by the Netherlands and Sweden, as Ante Milicic’s side dropped from sixth to eighth following two wins from four matched at France 2019.

While Australia suffered a slight dip, DPR Korea – who failed to qualify for the World Cup – returned to the top 10 for the first time since 2016, moving up two places to ninth despite not playing an official match since the previous rankings update in March.

Rapinoe stroked home from 12 yards to put the USA ahead just after the hour mark and end the tournament as joint top scorer on six goals.

There was an air of inevitability about the 34-year-old, the star of this World Cup on and off the field, putting the USA ahead, and it also seemed inevitable that the breakthrough goal should come from a VAR-awarded penalty.

The whippet-like Lavelle, another stand-out performer over the last month, got the second in the 69th minute, killing off Dutch hopes of a comeback.

England were looking to claim the bronze medal for the second successive World Cup, but it was Peter Gerhardsson's side who finished third for the third time.

Kosovare Asllani gave Sweden an 11th-minute lead, before Jakobsson curled in an excellent second midway through the first half, and although Fran Kirby quickly pulled one back, England could not find an equaliser.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on Tuesday Yoon had offered to resign on June 19, two days after Korea Republic were eliminated in the group stage of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France.

Yoon's contract expired at the end of June and Yoon told Kim Pan-gon, general manager of the women's team, that he wasn't interested in signing an extension.

Kim, who also serves as head of the KFA's national team competitiveness enhancement committee, chaired a meeting on Yoon's status and decided to accept his offer of resignation.

With three out of five representatives reaching the knockout stage, it was a tournament of much promise, but three losses in four days to European opposition meant that, for the first time in history, the quarter-final draw is without an Asian side.

As the dust settles on the Continent’s campaign at France 2019, the-AFC.com reviews the campaigns of each of the five participants.

Tuesday’s performance at Roazhon Park was Japan’s best in France, as a team dominated by players appearing on the world stage for the first time produced the sort of sparkling football for which the Nadeshiko have become universally admired.

But, for all their efforts, including a fabulous display from Mana Iwabuchi, it ended in tears for the Asian champions, as captain Saki Kumagai was penalised for blocking a rushed Vivianne Miedema shot with her arm, paving the way for Martens to deal the decisive blow from 12 yards in a 2-1 win.